DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDREL

Ezekiel 16: 48 – 63


Arrogance gets us into trouble all the time. It can start when we begin to feel that we are better than the guy next to us. Once that feeling begins, our ego's grow by leaps and bounds until we reach the “Don't you know who I am” stage when somebody finally slaps us down.
The unfortunate thing about being arrogant is that we don't notice it as it grows in us. It's sort of like that whole boiling a frog thing. You know the one that says that if you try to boil a frog by putting it into a pot of boiling water, it will jump out every time. But if you put the same frog in a pot of cool water, and slowly turn up the heat, the frog won't notice the change in temperature and will let itself be cooked.
And cooked we become when we act in sinful ways.

48 As sure as I am the living God!—Decree of GOD, the Master—your sister Sodom and her daughters never even came close to what you and your daughters have done
51 "’And Samaria. Samaria didn’t sin half as much as you. You’ve committed far more obscenities than she ever did. Why, you make your two sisters look good in comparison with what you’ve done!
52 Face it, your sisters look mighty good compared with you. Because you’ve out sinned them so completely, you’ve actually made them look righteous. Aren’t you ashamed? But you’re going to have to live with it. What a reputation to carry into history: out sinning your two sisters!

Yeesh. It hits me in the gut once again. When the word of God points out the character flaws that we have (I have), it kinda makes me feel uncomfortable.
There I go again having to change the way I behave, and change the way I act towards others.
Again!
Thankfully God gives us a chance at redemption. Thankfully He offers us a way to change our ways, and receive salvation and forgiveness.

53 "’But I’m going to reverse their fortunes, the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and the fortunes of Samaria and her daughters. And—get this—your fortunes right along with them!
56 Remember the days when you were putting on airs, acting so high and mighty, looking down on sister Sodom?
62 I’ll firmly establish my covenant with you and you’ll know that I am GOD.
63 You’ll remember your past life and face the shame of it, but when I make atonement for you, make everything right after all you’ve done, it will leave you speechless.’" Decree of GOD, the Master. (The Message)

How lovely it is to be in a relationship with the living God.
He sees us for the dirty rotten people we are, give us the opportunity to change our ways, then forgets our transgressions so that we be together for all time.

I don't know about you, but, that makes me feel pretty good, and makes me want to face the rest of my shameful behaviors, confront them, confess them, and receive God's grace.